Ruling on reading love stories and watching romantic movies

Praise be to Allah.

Firstly: 

Reading love stories results in many evils, especially if the reader is young. These evils include: provocation of desire, and stirring up of bad thoughts and fantasies, attachment to the hero or heroine of the story, and wasting time in something that brings no spiritual or worldly benefit, rather in most cases it cases harm. Islam came to close the door that leads to anything haraam; it enjoins lowering the gaze and forbids being alone with a member of the opposite sex or speaking in a soft tone, and other things that may provoke desire or lead to immoral actions. Undoubtedly reading these stories is the exact opposite of that, because they promote the wish to get to know men and form relationships with them, and fall in love with them, in addition to showing immoral images of love and meetings etc. Undoubtedly all of that is haraam. 

Secondly: 

Listening to music is haraam, because of a great deal of evidence which we have mentioned in the answer to question no. 5000 and 20406. 

Thirdly: 

The same may be said about watching romantic movies as is said about reading romantic stories, rather the movies are more harmful and more corrupt, because they embody the meanings in moving images and scenes, and because they show ‘awrahs and immoral actions, accompanied by  music in most cases. They provoke desires and promote immorality, as is obvious to any wise person. It is strange that you are not bothered as the result of watching these movies. 

Conclusion: All of that is forbidden, as it leads to haraam things and sin, and the one who does it is in grave danger. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has decreed for the son of Adam his share of zina, which he will inevitably get. The zina of the eyes is looking and the zina of the tongue is speaking. The heart wishes and hopes, and the private part confirms that or denies it.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (6243) and Muslim (2657). According to a report narrated by Muslim: “The son of Adam’s share of zina has been decreed for him, which he will inevitably get. The zina of the eyes is looking, the zina of the ears is listening, the zina of the tongue is speaking, the zina of the hands is touching, and the zina of the foot is walking. The heart longs and wishes, and the private part confirms that or denies it.” Think about this important hadeeth, and think about the movies that you mentioned. Watching them includes the zina of the eyes, the ears and the heart which longs and wishes. We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound. 

Remember that it is obligatory to give up haraam things immediately, and that sin after sin darkens the heart, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When the believer commits sin, a black spot appears on his heart. If he repents and gives up that sin and seeks forgiveness, his heart will be polished. But if (the sin) increases, (the black spot) increases. That is the raan which Allaah mentions in His Book: ‘Nay! But on their hearts is the Raan (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn’ [al-Mutaffifeen 83:14].” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (3334) and Ibn Maajah (4244); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi. 

You should also remember that whoever gives up something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him with something better than it, so hasten to repent sincerely and give up these haraam things, and keep yourself busy with things that will benefit your spiritual and worldly interests. Read Qur’aan a great deal and study the biography of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the biographies of the Mothers of the Believers and of the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them all). Listen to useful lectures which will remind you of Allaah and encourage you to seek the Hereafter, and help you to keep away from haraam things. 

We ask Allaah to help and guide us and you. 

And Allaah knows best.